The Department
Teaching, research and innovation
Our mission and our aspirations
The Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT) offers a leading international scientific environment. We conduct research into solutions for the societal challenges of our time. Our research focuses on the application fields of innovative production, mobility and transportation, medical technologies and sustainable energy. Numerous patents and spin-offs are evidence of the strong culture of innovation at D-MAVT. We prepare our students for excellence in science and for leadership positions in industry.
Teaching
The Mechanical Engineering degree program offers a comprehensive, well-founded education with the opportunity for further specialization. It combines the fundamentals of mathematics and natural sciences with traditional engineering disciplines such as mechanics, thermodynamics and fluid dynamics and, increasingly, interdisciplinary fields such as mechatronics and robotics. In addition to academic excellence, we are committed to teaching students to think critically and to collaborate across disciplines. The aim of the program is to prepare graduates for leading positions in industry and academia.
Research
Our research continues to expand our fundamental knowledge in the areas of:
- Design and manufacturing
- Energy, flows and processes
- Mechanics and materials
- Robotics and control
We apply these core competencies across disciplines in four fields of application:
- Innovative production processes
- Medical technologies
- Mobility and transportation
- Sustainable energy solutions
Innovation
With 119 spin-offs and more than 330 patents (source: Management Informations System, 2000 - 2023), the department makes a significant contribution to the innovative strength of the Swiss industry. The fields of application range from production processes to sustainable energy technologies, automotive engineering, aerospace, medical technology, robotics, drone technology and autonomous vehicles.
(Sources: Spin-off companies of ETH Zurich | ETH Zurich; Management Informations System, 2000 - 2023)
Development of the department
Today, the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering is the largest of the 16 departments at ETH Zurich. Around 40 professors and 4,000 students currently belong to D-MAVT - and the trend is rising. The Department of Mechanical Engineering has existed since ETH Zurich was founded in 1855.